Cheesy-Crust Skillet Pizza
Skillet pizza with a 1-ingredient crust made out of cheese is topped with more cheese, tomatoes, and basil creating a gluten-free, grain-free pizza!
- 20 min
- Serves 2
- 4 ingredients
Steps
- Heat a 10-inch non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese evenly into hot skillet; cook until cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Arrange tomato slices, basil leaves, and fresh mozzarella slices on the melted cheese, leaving space for a "crust" to form; cook until top is bubbling and edges are browned, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Remove skillet from heat and loosen pizza with a spatula. Gently slice pizza onto a cutting board; cool for 1 minute before slicing.
Frequently asked questions
Why is my cheese crust greasy?
Too much fat in the cheese. Part-skim mozzarella is specified precisely because full-fat and fresh mozzarella release far more oil as they melt. If a pool forms anyway, tip the skillet and blot it with kitchen paper before the toppings go on.
Can I use a different cheese for the crust?
Use a low-moisture cheese that melts into a sheet rather than into a puddle, such as provolone or a firm cheddar. Very wet cheeses will not form the browned edge that holds the base together when you lift it out.
Do I need a nonstick skillet for this pizza?
It makes it far easier. Melted cheese bonds to bare metal, and the whole base has to come out in one piece. If you only have cast iron, make sure it is well seasoned and let the crust brown properly before trying to lift it.
How do I get the cheese crust crisp?
Leave it alone until the edges brown, which is the signal in the method along with the top bubbling. Medium-high heat and a thin, even layer of cheese give a crisp base, whereas a thick pile stays soft and floppy in the middle.
Is this skillet pizza gluten free?
Yes, there is no flour or grain in it at all, since the crust is nothing but melted shredded mozzarella. Check the shredded cheese itself if you are cooking for a coeliac, as some brands use starch as an anti-caking agent.
What other toppings can I put on it?
Anything already cooked and fairly dry works, such as pepperoni, olives or roasted peppers. Leave the outer ring bare as the method says so the crust can form, and avoid wet toppings that would stop the base crisping.